Exercising, resting and relaxing device



L. G. ZABOY March 20, 1956 EXERCISING, RESTING AND RELAXING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1953 WI .1; o '5:

1.9 1 N42 H 2219 1N VENTOR. Louis 6, Zabqy ATTORNEYS H H I r: e 2,738,975 I lc Patented Mar.

2,738,975 7 EXERCISING, RESTING AND RELAXING'DEVICE Louis G. Zaboy, Lo s Angeles, Calif. Application May 5, 1953, Serial No. 353,045 '1 Claim." (c1. zn ss This invention relates to a device for use in exercising, relaxing, and resting.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which will improve the health of the user and which will enable the user to readily relax and take exercise thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curved device for relaxing, resting and exercising, there being a means provided for elevating one end of the curved device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a curved exercising, relaxing and resting device which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention shown supporting a person thereon.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device, with parts 7 broken away and in section.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view, showing the device in folded position as when it is not being used.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral designates a curved body member or frame which is adapted to be used for supporting a person such as the person P thereon. The body member 10 includes a pair of curved sections 11 and 12 which are hingedly connected together. The section 11 comprises a pair of spaced parallel bars 14, and the section 12 comprises a pair of spaced parallel bars 15. Suitable spaced braces 16 extend between each pair of bars and are secured thereto.

The hinge means for connecting the sections 11 and 12 together shown in detail in Figure 5, and this hinge means comprises plates 18 which are secured to the bars 14 and by suitable securing elements such as screws 19. By means of the hinge construction 17, the device may be folded to the position shown in Figure 3 so that it will occupy a minimum amount of space when it is not being used.

A means is provided for elevating or raising one end of the device, and this means comprises a pair of spaced parallel legs 21 which are pivot-ally mounted on a pin or shaft 20 that extends between the pair of bars 15. The legs 21 can also be folded up when the device is not being used to the position shown in Figure 3. A hook member 22 is connected to one of the bars 15, and the hook member 22 is adapted to engage in an eye 23 so as to maintain the parts in their folded position.

Extending across the top of the device is a curved top piece 24 which may be made of wood or other suitable material, and supported on the top piece 24 is a pad 25 of suitable yieldable material such as fiber or foam rubher or the like so that the person using the device can lie thereon in comfort. A flexible strap 26 is secured to the section 12 by'suitable securing elements'such as nails or screws 27, and the strap 26 is adapted to be engaged by the users feet as shown in Figure 1. A crosspiece 28 may extend between the pair of legs 21 and is secured thereto, and braces 30 and 31 can be secured .to the ends of the sections Hand 12. I

From the foregoing it is apparent that a device has been provided which will help the user to relax, rest; and

, wherein the health of the user willbeimproved. "In

use the persons feet may be. engaged in the strap 26 and the person can either lie on the curved device as shown in Figure 1 or he or she can do exercises thereon. When the'device is being used, the 'legs21 elevate the p'ortio'n of the device on which the feet rest, and when the device is not being usedit can be 'folded' to occupy a minimum amount of space as shown in Figure 3.

The top piece 24 can be made of suitable material such as plywood and the ribs 16 provide support for the top piece 24. If desired'the device can be made in one piece instead of having the pair of hinged sections. However, the hinges 17 permit the device to be folded when not being used. The curvature of the device can be varied as desired and the legs 21 enable the body to lie in the healthful position of the feet being higher than the rest of the curve producing a pressure at the upper or dorsal spinal vertebrae to thus raise the rib cage. The stomach muscles are placed under gentle tension and the hips are given a beneficial thrust forward to make for better postural alignment of the entire skeletal structure. The curved device of the present invention with a slant and with the feet raised induces pressureon the primary curve at the dorsal spine to tend to spread the vertebrae beneficially at this point and to fan or spread the attached ribs on the vertebrae to elevate the rib cage and lungs contained therein and all of these things are of health promotional value to the body. The secondary curve at the lumbar or lower back region is in conformity with the curve of the device of the present invention to put tension of a beneficial nature on all of the abdominal muscles to enable the abdominal viscera to be pressed into normal position in addition to the. pull of gravity to aid in doing this. The second primary curve of the skeletal structure at the sacrum is thrust forward from the normally poised body line making for mild passive exercise of the ligaments, tendons and musculature of these parts.

The present invention permits a better supply of blood to flow to parts of the body by utilizing the pull of gravity whereas in the normal upright position the blood supply of a human being is against the pull of gravity. Further, this device places beneficial pressure on the dorsal vertebrae to tend to separate the vertebrae and free the nerve channels which emit from between these vertebrae and allow for a more normal or helpful nerve supply to their connecting organs. Also, the device will induce the fanning or spreading of the rib cage resulting from their attachment to the above mentioned spread vertebrae and this makes for a more vital function of the enclosed organs including the heart, lungs, liver, gall bladder and the like. The result of arching the body backwards can be gleaned from the position one assumes when stretching and yawning indicating that nature endorses this position for healthful purposes. This backward arch places a tension on the structural partson the front of the greater curve of the arch for example the abdomen, groin and forward portion of the thighs to force the stomach and abdomen to take a position from the navel closer to the backbone. This force can be highly beneficial in cases of constipation and other intestinal ills.

The aforementioned benefits may be'derived passively by the nature of the curved device itself and do not son tare elevated and wherein the .back of the patient is arched andthe head is lowered.

I claim:

Ln,=an exercising, resting and relaxing device, a curved body member comprising -13. first section and a second scction, =each of said :sections including a pair of spaced parallel curved bars, plates secured .to the adjacent ends: 5

of said bars for hingedly connecting said first and secondsections together, a plurality of spaced parallel ribs extending ibetween said :bars and secured thereto, a curved top piece mounted on each of said sections, a yieldable ,padgsupported on said topv pieces and extending longitudinally along [the top of said device, a horizontally disposed shaft extending between the bars of said second sectionfa pair of legs pivotally connected to said shaft for maintaining an end of said body member in raised position, a flexible strap secured to the outer end of said second section for engagement with a persons feet, a hook member connected to one of the bars of said sec- 0nd section, an eye member on said first section for engagement with said hook member, a crosspiece extending between said pair of legs and secured thereto, and braces secured to the ends of said sections.

References Cited in the die of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 695,538 De Clairmont Mar. 18, 1902 1,836,981 Matheson Dec. 15, 1931 1,904,039 Bruder Apr. 18, 1933 2,240,228 Schall Apr. 29, 1941 2,264,046 McClellan Nov. 25, 1941 2,522,186 McI-Ienry Sept. 12, 1950 2,533,273 MacGregor Dec. 12, 1950 2,658,754 Courtney Nov. 10, 1953 

